EP1262398B1 - Drive Wheels - Google Patents

Drive Wheels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1262398B1
EP1262398B1 EP02077031A EP02077031A EP1262398B1 EP 1262398 B1 EP1262398 B1 EP 1262398B1 EP 02077031 A EP02077031 A EP 02077031A EP 02077031 A EP02077031 A EP 02077031A EP 1262398 B1 EP1262398 B1 EP 1262398B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drive
track
bars
lugs
drive wheel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Revoked
Application number
EP02077031A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1262398A3 (en
EP1262398A2 (en
Inventor
Stephen John Heard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=9915557&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP1262398(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1262398A2 publication Critical patent/EP1262398A2/en
Publication of EP1262398A3 publication Critical patent/EP1262398A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1262398B1 publication Critical patent/EP1262398B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Revoked legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/12—Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to drive wheels, and in particular to drive wheels for use in a positive drive track system.
  • the track is normally made of a rubber material and has a number of chevron-shaped cleats on its outer surface.
  • the inner surface of the track is formed with a number of integral drive lugs.
  • the part of the track that contacts the ground is supported by a pair of bogie wheels and end idlers which share the weight of the vehicle.
  • a drive wheel is fastened to the driven axle of the agricultural vehicle.
  • the drive wheel has a plurality of paddles or drive bars which engage between the drive lugs on the inner surface of the track to positively drive the track.
  • the drive wheel is sandwiched between a pair of carriage plates that support the axles for the bogie wheels and end idlers.
  • the carriage plates also accommodate a hydraulic slide or pivot which is used to tension the track.
  • the end idlers are mounted a predetermined axial distance apart so that they can guide the track. This is not always possible in conventional positive drive track systems.
  • Two conventional positive drive track systems are known. The first uses a drive wheel consisting of a pair of parallel drive plates that are linked around the edge by a plurality of drive bars. It will be readily appreciated that for this drive wheel to drive the track it is necessary for the parallel drive plates to be separated by a distance that is wider than the drive lugs on the track. The second uses paddle-shaped drive bars that are significantly wider then the drive lugs. In both cases the width of the drive bars can prevent the end idlers from being mounted on the carriage plates with the correct axial separation.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide full support of the track without the need for additional support wheels.
  • a further purpose is to allow the optional use of narrower drive bars that can be accommodated within a variety of carriage plate designs.
  • the present invention provides a drive wheel for driving a track having a plurality of drive lugs on its inner surface, the drive wheel comprising a plurality of drive bars for engaging between the drive lugs to drive the track and a support plate between each adjacent pair of drive bars for contacting a radially inner surface of the drive lugs, wherein the support plate extends in the axial direction on both sides of the drive wheel, and wherein the drive bars and the support plate have a narrower width than the drive lugs of the track.
  • the radially outer portions of the drive lugs are preferably cylindrical.
  • the present invention further provides a positive drive track system incorporated the above drive wheel.
  • the rubber track 8 of a positive drive track system has a number of cleats 9 on its outer surface and a number of drive lugs 7 on its inner surface.
  • a drive wheel 1 has a number of paddles or drive bars 2 evenly spaced around its circumference.
  • the drive bars 2 have cylindrical ends and intermesh with the drive lugs 7 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to drive the belt as the drive wheel 1 is rotated.
  • a separate support plate 4 is positioned between each adjacent pair of drive bars 2 and is designed to contact the radially inner surface of the drive lugs 7 to provide additional support.
  • the use of supporting plates 4 means that the track tension and torque loading is no longer taken wholly on the drive bars 2 and allows the width of the drive bars to be reduced. Sharing the load between the drive bars 2 and the support plates 4 also reduces the pressure on the track 8 and helps to eliminate wear.
  • the drive wheel 1 is fastened to the driven axle of an agricultural vehicle (not shown) by means of a bearing housing 6.
  • the drive wheel 1 is sandwiched between a pair of carriage plates 3 that supports a pair of end idlers 5 by means of an axle (not shown). Because the drive bars 2 are narrower than the drive lugs it means that the carriage plates 3 can be separated by a smaller distance. This enables the end idlers 5 to be mounted with the correct axial separation so that they guide the track properly.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Platform Screen Doors And Railroad Systems (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Control Of Stepping Motors (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Guiding Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Valve-Gear Or Valve Arrangements (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive wheel (1) used to drive a rubber track system. By providing support plates (4) between the drive bars (2) the drive wheel (1) is able to fully support the track (8) with no additional support. The drive bars (2) may also be made narrower than the drive lugs (7) provided on the internal surface of the track, allowing the end idlers to be mounted with the correct separation. <IMAGE>

Description

    Technical Field
  • The present invention relates to drive wheels, and in particular to drive wheels for use in a positive drive track system.
    • Background Art
  • It is known to replace the standard wheels of an agricultural vehicle with a positive drive track system. An example of a positive drive track system is disclosed in the present Applicant's British Patent Application No. 0004469.3.
  • The track is normally made of a rubber material and has a number of chevron-shaped cleats on its outer surface. The inner surface of the track is formed with a number of integral drive lugs. The part of the track that contacts the ground is supported by a pair of bogie wheels and end idlers which share the weight of the vehicle. A drive wheel is fastened to the driven axle of the agricultural vehicle. The drive wheel has a plurality of paddles or drive bars which engage between the drive lugs on the inner surface of the track to positively drive the track. The drive wheel is sandwiched between a pair of carriage plates that support the axles for the bogie wheels and end idlers. The carriage plates also accommodate a hydraulic slide or pivot which is used to tension the track.
  • Conventional positive drive track systems have always relied on the drive bars as described in US-A-3 948 110 or separate additional support wheels to share the load. This can lead to excessive wear on the track and the use of additional support wheels means that the track system is complicated to install and maintain.
  • It is important to the operation of a positive drive track system that the end idlers are mounted a predetermined axial distance apart so that they can guide the track. This is not always possible in conventional positive drive track systems. Two conventional positive drive track systems are known. The first uses a drive wheel consisting of a pair of parallel drive plates that are linked around the edge by a plurality of drive bars. It will be readily appreciated that for this drive wheel to drive the track it is necessary for the parallel drive plates to be separated by a distance that is wider than the drive lugs on the track. The second uses paddle-shaped drive bars that are significantly wider then the drive lugs. In both cases the width of the drive bars can prevent the end idlers from being mounted on the carriage plates with the correct axial separation.
  • The purpose of the present invention is to provide full support of the track without the need for additional support wheels. A further purpose is to allow the optional use of narrower drive bars that can be accommodated within a variety of carriage plate designs.
    • Summary of the Invention
  • The present invention provides a drive wheel for driving a track having a plurality of drive lugs on its inner surface, the drive wheel comprising a plurality of drive bars for engaging between the drive lugs to drive the track and a support plate between each adjacent pair of drive bars for contacting a radially inner surface of the drive lugs, wherein the support plate extends in the axial direction on both sides of the drive wheel, and wherein the drive bars and the support plate have a narrower width than the drive lugs of the track.
  • The radially outer portions of the drive lugs are preferably cylindrical.
  • The present invention further provides a positive drive track system incorporated the above drive wheel.
    • Drawings
  • Figure 1 is a side view showing a track and a drive wheel in accordance with the present invention;
  • Figure 2 is a detail view showing the relationship between the drive lugs, the drive bars and the support plates;
  • Figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing the relative widths of the drive lug, drive bar and support plate taken along line AA of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a cross sectional view showing the mounting detail of the drive wheel of Figure 1.
  • As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the rubber track 8 of a positive drive track system has a number of cleats 9 on its outer surface and a number of drive lugs 7 on its inner surface. A drive wheel 1 has a number of paddles or drive bars 2 evenly spaced around its circumference. The drive bars 2 have cylindrical ends and intermesh with the drive lugs 7 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to drive the belt as the drive wheel 1 is rotated. A separate support plate 4 is positioned between each adjacent pair of drive bars 2 and is designed to contact the radially inner surface of the drive lugs 7 to provide additional support. The use of supporting plates 4 means that the track tension and torque loading is no longer taken wholly on the drive bars 2 and allows the width of the drive bars to be reduced. Sharing the load between the drive bars 2 and the support plates 4 also reduces the pressure on the track 8 and helps to eliminate wear.
  • With reference to Figure 4, the drive wheel 1 is fastened to the driven axle of an agricultural vehicle (not shown) by means of a bearing housing 6. The drive wheel 1 is sandwiched between a pair of carriage plates 3 that supports a pair of end idlers 5 by means of an axle (not shown). Because the drive bars 2 are narrower than the drive lugs it means that the carriage plates 3 can be separated by a smaller distance. This enables the end idlers 5 to be mounted with the correct axial separation so that they guide the track properly.

Claims (3)

  1. A drive wheel (1) for driving a track (8) having a plurality of drive lugs (7) on its inner surface, the drive wheel (1) comprising a plurality of drive bars (2) for engaging between the drive lugs (7) to drive the track and a support plate (4) between each adjacent pair of drive bars (2) for contacting a radially inner surface of the drive lugs (7), wherein the support plate (4) extends in the axial direction on both sides of the drive wheel (1), and wherein the drive bars (2) and the support plate (4) have a narrower width than the drive lugs (7) of the track (8).
  2. A drive wheel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radially outer portions of the drive bars (2) are cylindrical.
  3. A positive drive track system incorporating a drive wheel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2.
EP02077031A 2001-05-30 2002-05-24 Drive Wheels Revoked EP1262398B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0113127.5A GB0113127D0 (en) 2001-05-30 2001-05-30 Drive wheel for rubber track system
GB0113127 2001-05-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1262398A2 EP1262398A2 (en) 2002-12-04
EP1262398A3 EP1262398A3 (en) 2003-01-29
EP1262398B1 true EP1262398B1 (en) 2005-07-27

Family

ID=9915557

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02077031A Revoked EP1262398B1 (en) 2001-05-30 2002-05-24 Drive Wheels

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1262398B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE300461T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60205171T2 (en)
GB (2) GB0113127D0 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2435867B (en) 2006-03-06 2008-02-06 Stephen John Heard A method of fitting a track to a track apparatus
US8746815B2 (en) * 2011-07-28 2014-06-10 Ati, Inc. Track-module apparatus and open lightweight drive wheel therefor

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3948110A (en) * 1974-10-18 1976-04-06 Outboard Marine Corporation Endless cleated track
GB1602143A (en) * 1977-12-23 1981-11-04 Ruston Bucyrus Ltd Tread belt drive system
US5842757A (en) * 1997-01-31 1998-12-01 Agtracks, Inc. Track system for vehicles
US6120405A (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-09-19 Caterpillar Inc. Drive sprocket which has rotating members which are engaged by drive lugs of a track
DE19920025C2 (en) * 1999-04-27 2001-03-08 Mannesmann Ag Crawler track
US6543862B1 (en) * 2000-07-28 2003-04-08 Agtracks, Inc. Drive wheel for track apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2376007B (en) 2004-09-15
EP1262398A3 (en) 2003-01-29
EP1262398A2 (en) 2002-12-04
GB0212311D0 (en) 2002-07-10
GB0113127D0 (en) 2001-07-25
DE60205171T2 (en) 2006-06-01
ATE300461T1 (en) 2005-08-15
GB2376007A (en) 2002-12-04
DE60205171D1 (en) 2005-09-01

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